Rail joint



May l24, 1927.

f Z. T. HOSKINS RAIL JOINT Filed sept. 22. l1924 vnovel construction,

ends brought together or Patented May 24, 1927.

ZACIIARY. T. HOSKINS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

RAIL Jonvfr.

Application filed September 22, 1924. Serial No. 739,098.

ltly of devices kno-wn as rail joints, and relates more particularly to a simple and eiticient type7 of joint adapted for use on railways, whetherstreet or otherwise. The same is particularly desirable in installations where it has heretofore been customary to weld the abutting rail ends, and is adapted for new or reconstruction work. The invention has among its objects the production ofarail joint of the kind described which is simple,`eflicient, durable, economical and satisfactory for use wherever found applicable. It also has particularly as an object the production of a construction of the kind described .which may be applied in the re-construction of old work er re-building, and in which old materials may. be utilized or reconstructed for the purpose. Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosures herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the arrangement and combishown and described,

nation of parts herein pointedA` out in the and more particularly claims.

In the drawings, characters indicate parts: .Y

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portionof two abutting rails and joint;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view tially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view tially on line' 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a similar sectional view illustrating a modified type ofplate; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of my invention is shown, 1-1 represents two rails with their abutting, it being understood that the rail itself may be of the desired size, shape and material and for any use for which it is applicable.l In the particular rail illustrated, 1 represents the tread, 2 the base, and 3 the usual connecting web between the two, the rails being laid with theirends abutting as indicated at 4 in Fig. 1. I have illustrated ties 5--5 and also concrete or the like 6 arranged lbetween the ties, it being understood that the roadbed construction such as the ties, etc., may

wherein like reference like or corresponding taken substantaken substaninvention belongs to that general class* posite 'end, nuts,.washers, or any equivalent. may be proagainst turning. I have shown the tapers on than the same mightbe,

be as desired, the particular roadbed forming no part of the present invention. It may likewise be mentioned that the rails may rest ona tie plate or erop ties, and that the rails lmay be attached to the ties or roadbed in any. of the well known manners. I have not considered it necessary to illustrateV the various types .of ties, tie plates or spikes, bolts or the like for securing the rails on the ro'adbed. Arranged on each side of the abutting rails and bridging the joint between the two is a plate 7, the plates. and rail ends being secured together by bolts. The plates T may be of any suitable size, shape and material, and may be modified in details as will be hereinafter described.

I have shown the parts secured together b v a plurality of bolts passing through each rail end and the plates, the construction being such that all of the bolts tightly tit the plates, with those passing through one rail closely fitting the rail, while in the other rail there is play between the bolts and rail. As shown, the bolts are represented as at 12 and 13, the bolts 13 closely ittingthe holes inthe plates and rail. I provide a tapered bolt, the shown at 9 and 10 and the bolt being tapered as indicated at 14C and 15, the portion through the rail, however, being straight or untapered in vthe preferred embodiment. The bolt is provided with a head 16 at one end andwitha nut 17 at the threaded or op it being understood that lock vided'for locking the nut the bolt and in the platesl as somewhat more exaggerated in order to clearly illustrate the construction, but ,it should be noted that' this taper may be as desired. The opposite bolts 12 passing through the other rail and the rail holes thereat -are preferably so proportioned that there is a slight space 18, or, in other words, the hole is larger than the bolt at this point. `While the, bolt 13, and in the same figure I have l naam gUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

holes being tapered as' `thedholes may be slotted, ordinarily this is substantially shown in the dotted lines the bolt l2, so that the relative sizes ot the two bolts are illustrated. The'plate holes are of course designed to tit the bolts. While the plate at the threaded end of the bolt l2 may be straight, if tapered, as shown in Fig. 4f, a bushing may be inserted at l0 so that the bolthas a tight tit in the plate. It is believed that the construction will be obvious by reference to this tigure. As most clcaily shown in Fig. 2, I geiierally prefer to arrange the bolts with the heads on one side alternating with the heads on the other side.

Vhen the joint is made as described, obviously the plates are substantially a part of one rail and embrace and lirmly secure the other i'ail end thereto but in such a manner that slight relative movements oit the rails are permitted during expansion or contraction thereof. However, the parts are sccurely and tightly fastened together so that there is a good bond between the rail ends, making the joint particularly adapted for electrical railway systems wherein the rails may be used as a return conductor.

By en'iploying the construction shown, it is possible to join practically any types of rails together so that the same is paiticularly convenient on repairing broken welded joints, as well as in new construction. It is not necessary to any way change the rails to provide special styles of openings or bolt holes, and even old tie plates may be roamed out and reconstructed even on the job, thereby saving material and permitting the reapplying oi old material in my new type of joint;

In Figure fl, I have merely illustrated a modified type ol. plate 2l, provided with the base anges 22 resting on the base of the rail. I have shown in this figure the tie plate Q3 arranged under the rail and with the plates extended as at 24 and resting on the plate, 25 being any suitable securing means passing through the portion 2t and plate 93 into the tie or other support, (the fastening means 25 is not shown in tull) it being understood that bolts, spikes or any equivalent means may be employed. By the employment of my improved. method of tastening, the plates 23 and flange 24 may be Secured to the tie without danger ot' the contracting or expanding rails pulling the fastening from the tie. I do not wish to be understood. however, that the two types of plates shown are the only possible designs. lVhen the rails are joined, as herein described, they are maintained in perfect alignment without any sagging of one relative to the other. In the case oiC expansion or contraction during weather changes, this does lnot in any way attect the rails as the expansion or contraction is permitted without breaking the joint or displacing the rails at tions may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting` myself to the exact torni, construction, arrangement and combination ot parts herein shown and described or uses inentioned.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz" l. In a rail joint ot the kind described and in combination, abutting` rails, a tie plate, splice bars arranged on either side thereof, and bridging the joint between the rails, the bars extended to overlie and seat on the tie plate, means for securing the bars and tie plate to the tie, said rail ends and splice bars provided with bolt holes, and bolts passing through the bars and rail ends, the bolts passing through one rail end being of slightly less diameter than the bolts passing through the other rail end, whereby said bolts are ot' less diameter than the holes through which they pass for permitting movement ot' one rail end relative the other.

2. In a rail joint of the kind described and in combination, rails having their ends abutting' and plates arranged one on each side of said rails and bridging the joint between the rails. each rail end provided with a plurality of bolt holes, and said plates provided with holes registering therewith, the holes in the plates being tapered, and tapered bolts `fitting in said plate and bolt holes, the portion of the bolts passing through the rail end being straight without a. taper and the bolts in one rail end being ot a size to provide a clearance at the bolt holes, whereby the rails may have a limited relative movement between the plates.

3. In a rail joint of the kind" described and in combination, abutting rails, splice bars bridging the joint between the rails, bolts passing through the bars and rail ends, the bolts being alternately threaded through the holes from opposite sides and closely titting all ot the plate holes and the bolt holes in one rail end, but loosely litting the'bolt holes in the other rail end.

4. In a rail joint of the class described and in combination, abutting rail ends, splice bars bridging the joint between the rail ends, said rails and splice bars tomed with bolt holes, and bolts passing through the bars and rail ends, the bolts passing through one rail end being ofslightly less diameter than the bolts passing through the other rail end, the bolts j nassing through the other end having a driving fit with the holes whereby to permit movement of one rail end relative the other rail end.

5. In a rail joint ot the kind described and in combination, abutting rails, splice bars bridging the joint between the rails, said splice bars being formed to engage substantially the entire under surface of the Ihead, the entire side surface of the web and the entire upper and Side surfaces of the base, bolts passing through the bars and rail ends, the bolts being alternately threaded through the holes from opposite sides and closely fitting all of the bar bolt holes in one rail, but loosely fitting the bolt holes in the other rail end.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

ZAGHARY rr. HoSKINs.

holes and the 10 

